- Destinations
- Uganda & Rwanda
Gorilla trekking
Encounter gorillas & other primates
Travel to Uganda and Rwanda for one of Africa’s most memorable wildlife encounters: sitting face to face with mountain gorillas in their unspoilt jungle habitat. Habituated to our presence, these gentle forest giants allow us to join their family for an hour. You’ll sit spellbound as you watch familiar dynamics unfold around you – shy babies, wrestling, mischievous teenagers and watchful parents.
It’s regarded as the most reliable gorilla trekking in Africa. Expert trackers are sent ahead of your hiking party and you’ll be guided by local naturalists for near certain encounters with gorillas and other primates. Accommodation is in the form of safari camps and lodges, set in forest clearings with all the comfort and convenience you need.
Usually included as part of a bigger African itinerary, Uganda and Rwanda both offer gorilla trekking but are quite different travel destinations.
Rwanda is best for an ‘in-and-out’ gorilla trek. You can fly into Kigali and transfer to the Volcanoes National Park within a few hours. You’ll be gorilla trekking the next day.
Uganda offers not just gorilla trekking but also big game safaris and chimpanzee tracking too. Its national parks are home to classic savannah animals such as elephant, buffalo and lion while its forests are filled with other primates, including habituated chimps. You’ll enjoy game drives and river cruises as well as some of the best bird watching in Africa.
Combine your gorilla trekking adventure with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania for the complete African wildlife experience. You can even add an Indian Ocean beach holiday on as well – the perfect ending. Easy air connections link East Africa’s best destinations and you can even put South Africa, Victoria Falls or Botswana onto your Uganda and Rwanda travel plans – ask us how.
Our Top Regions to Visit in Uganda & Rwanda:
- Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda – it’s challenging hiking but the reward is an almost guaranteed encounter with mountain gorillas in their rainforest home.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda – a majestic jungle environment that is home to several habituated gorilla families, Bwindi also teems with birds & butterflies.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda – with 600 bird species it’s a birding paradise but also home to animals ranging from tree-climbing lions to chimpanzees.
- Kibale Forest, Uganda – explore the heart of a tropical forest: expert guides take you in search of chimps, birds & forest animals.
- Murchison Falls, Uganda – most famous for its spectacular waterfall, Uganda’s biggest park is also home to big game, chimpanzees & epic bird watching.